Abstract: A universal shift apparatus and method for a swimming pool cover motor has a rotatable drive shaft and a rope attached to the end of the swimming pool cover. A reel element collects the rope, and a roll-up element collects the swimming pool cover. A gear drive assembly on the rotatable drive shaft drives the reel element in a first rotational direction as the shaft rotates in a first direction and drives the roll-up element in a second rotational direction as the shaft rotates in a second direction. A shift assembly is associated with the gear drive assembly to selectively reverse the first rotational direction of the wind-up reel element and to selectively reverse the second rotational direction of the roll-up element.

Abstract: A system is provided herein for supporting a lid for a pool cover box that includes (a) an elongated mounting element extending along substantially at least one wall of the pool cover box, and (b) a plurality of bracket assemblies, each adapted for connecting to the mounting element at multiple positions along the mounting element to support the lid.

Abstract: A method for forming a pool cover box to contain a pool cover assembly for covering a swimming pool is provided herein that includes forming a plurality of sections of substantially identical unitary molded plastic members, coupling the sections together to form an elongated box with two sides, a bottom, an open top and at least one open end, and fastening at least one end piece to the box to close at least one open end.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching an elongated webbing member to an edge of a pool cover, comprising positioning the edge of the pool cover so that a portion of the pool cover edge is in contact with a portion of the webbing, and heat sealing the webbing portion to the pool cover edge portion. An assembly is provided for coupling a pool cover to a connector mechanism attached to a pool, comprising a pool cover comprising at least one pool cover edge, and a webbing coupled to at least a portion of the pool cover edge by a heat seal between a portion of the webbing and a portion of the pool cover edge. An apparatus is also provided for forming a webbing attached to the edge of a pool cover.

Abstract: Mounting apparatus is provided for a pool cover assembly having a plurality of pool cover components disposed in a pool cover box and used to operate a pool cover for a swimming pool. The mounting apparatus comprises an elongated member adapted to be attached to the pool cover box, and a mounting member adapted to removably couple at least one of the pool cover components to the elongated member. A method is provided for mounting a pool cover assembly having a plurality of pool cover components in a pool cover box for a swimming pool cover. The method comprises attaching an elongated member to the pool cover box, and removably coupling a mounting member supporting at least one of the pool cover components to the elongated member.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for constructing edging for a deck of a swimming pool having a retractable pool cover, wherein an elongated track for the pool cover is attached to a wall of the swimming pool. The apparatus comprises a form member shaped to form the edging, and a support member adapted to removably couple to the elongated track and the form member. A method is provided for constructing edging for a deck of a swimming pool having a retractable pool cover, wherein an elongated track for the pool cover is attached to a wall of the swimming pool, comprising removably coupling a support member to the elongated track, and removably coupling a form member, shaped to form the edging, to the support member.

Abstract: Detachable rope apparatus is provided for extending a pool cover over a swimming pool having a guide track on a side of the pool, using a rope coupled to a pool cover motor. A bracket member is coupled to a front edge of the pool cover. An attachment device detachably couples an end of the rope to the bracket member to pull the pool cover. A bonding wire may replace a bead rope section embedded in the edge of the pool cover to form an elongated guide bead. A method is provided for forming a pool cover to enable the cover to be pulled over a swimming pool having a guide track on a side of the pool, using a rope coupled to a pool cover motor. A bracket member is coupled to a front edge of the pool cover, and an end of the rope is detachably coupled to the bracket member to pull the pool cover.

Abstract: Box apparatus is provided for containing a pool cover assembly to cover a swimming pool, comprising an elongated plastic box. The box apparatus comprises a plurality of sections of substantially identical unitary molded plastic members, a plurality of coupling elements to couple the sections together to form an elongated box with two sides, a bottom, an open top and at least one open end, and an end piece fastened to the box to close the open end. A method is provided for forming a pool cover box to contain a pool cover assembly for covering a swimming pool, comprising forming an elongated plastic box.

Abstract: A universal shift apparatus and method for a swimming pool cover motor has a rotatable drive shaft and a rope attached to the end of the swimming pool cover. A reel element collects the rope, and a roll-up element collects the swimming pool cover. A gear drive assembly on the rotatable drive shaft drives the reel element in a first rotational direction as the shaft rotates in a first direction and drives the roll-up element in a second rotational direction as the shaft rotates in a second direction. A shift assembly is associated with the gear drive assembly to selectively reverse the first rotational direction of the wind-up reel element and to selectively reverse the second rotational direction of the roll-up element.

Abstract: A system includes a support for a pool cover box lid comprising an elongated mounting element extending along at least one wall of the pool cover box, and a plurality of bracket assemblies, each connecting to the mounting element at multiple positions along the mounting element to support the lid. A method is directed to supporting a lid on a pool cover box. A system also forms a pool cover box lid, comprising form support elements spaced apart from each other, a base sheet, lid forming elements, each being connected to one of the form support elements and extending upward, and wall elements disposed perpendicular to the lid forming elements for forming said lid. A method is directed to forming a lid for a pool cover box.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a retail transaction at a digital image forming device are disclosed. Paper and blank electronic media may be purchased at the digital image forming device. The electronic media includes CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs and floppy disks. A computer file may be transferred to the storage media as part of the transaction. The file may be transferred from any external electronic media. The file may be transferred from any storage media controlled by a portable digital device, such as a digital camera, a cell phone, a portable computer or a PDA. Alternately, the file may be transferred from a remote storage device accessible via the Internet to either media sold at or external to and in communication with the digital image forming device.